Home Network Security - Essay Example

? Computer sciences and Information Technology, Essay Topic: Summary Home Network Security Internetconnectivity involves operational risks. It is necessary to check unauthorized use of computers, both personal and those in professional organizations. Breaks into the systems have become common. In banking institutions and investment companies the secrecy of information is all the more important and if the issue is neglected it results in loss of funds, at times in colossal proportions. No one would like someone else peeping into one’s personal communications. Intruders try to gain control on the computer systems to access confidential information. Someone may place harmful programs in one’s computer. To challenge these eventualities, understanding technologies that govern the internet and introducing them into the system without delay is the answer. Some of the networking systems are Broadband, Cable Modem Access with “shared medium” topology and DSL Access. From the point of view of technology, broadband services are different from traditional dial-up services. In the latter case, computer connects to the Internet when it has something specific act to perform. As soon as the action is over, after the specified idle time, the computer will disconnect the call. A different IP address is assigned on each call, since the Internet connection is part of the pool system of the modems. An intruder finds it tough to break-in, into the data in this system. Since Broadband is “always-on” service, the intruder has the fixed target to attack. Large networks like corporate and government have protection systems by many layers of security, in the form of firewalls to encryption. The same may not be possible for an individual user of internet. Your ISP takes care about maintaining the services offered to you. The ultimate responsibility for operating the home network is with the concerned individual. Many protection systems are in use for safeguarding the operations and communications of the computers. Protocol, Internet Protocol, IP Addresses, static vs. dynamic addressing, NAT, TCP and UDP Ports, Software firewall - specialized software running on an individual computer, or Network firewall - a dedicated device designed to protect one or more computers. Antivirus software system is one of the important agents that guard one’s computer against viruses. They indicate the possible presence of viruses. New viruses are discovered daily and there is no fool-proof method to stop them altogether. Profiles needs to be kept up-to-date, and appropriate solutions must be found to tackle the new viruses. The important information security areas are confidentiality, integrity and availability. These fundamental rules are applicable to individual users of networking system, as well as to the corporate and government networks. The user must be constantly on the lookout for new threats, and keep one’s knowledge up-to-date with the help of new technologies that are introduced for the protection of the networking community. Eternal vigilance and taking simple protective steps are assurances that the system will not be affected by the common threats. The risks in the networking field are both accidental and intentional. Intentional risks are the handiworks of the intruders, and this has to be challenged immediately, as no network user likes to reveal one’s information to others. Curtailing Information Security Vulnerabilities through Situational Crime Prevention Internet revolution has engulfed and impacted majority of the segments of life of humankind. Information has taken over the center-stage of business activities, whether it is administration, production or marketing. Consequently, an unfortunate aspect of this positive development is the rapid increase in cyber-crimes. To counter this, many security systems meant to protect computer applications are on the anvil. The business houses and government departments have resolutely reacted to the exploitation of information security vulnerabilities. New software and hardware applications are constantly being invented to secure the confidentiality and integrity of the data. But what is important is the application of the security measures in practical situations. In the above mentioned article in Security Journal Sameer Hinduja and Brandon Koohi argue that “these tactics have achieved limited success due to inattention to the opportunistic aspects of crime commission.” (Curtailing….)When crimes happen, the first poser needs to be about prevention of its manifestation by modification of the setting, conditions and contexts. Howsoever perfect may be the security system, unless the implementing staff puts it through with dedication, the system cannot be blamed for not providing the desired objectives. Crime prevention therefore, depends on the system and the men handling the implementation of the system. Internet crimes are committed by smart and intelligent people and those who are in charge of detecting it need to be extra-smart. To create an infrastructure and defend it well, are the essential requirement for the viability and success of an organization. Corporate security solutions are on the top of the agenda in such organizations. Internet revolution and technological advancement have engulfed the world with unprecedented quantum of information in all segments of life. All types of cybercrimes are on the increase rapidly. With constant erosion in the ethical standards in business, risks have attained new dimensions. The threat is not only from a competitive organization, but such negativities can be executed from insiders also, for monetary considerations. But organizations are hesitant to approach the policing and regulatory authorities for remedies for certain practical reasons. A reputed organization fears adverse publicity. Nevertheless, a line of communication and sharing of experiences between business organizations, the law-enforcing authorities, criminologists and the social scientists, would enrich the mutual expertise in understanding the modus operandi adopted in cybercrimes and would help in detecting such crimes in future. The association of university experts in the crime prevention efforts is a welcome step as it would help to transmit the knowledge gained back to universities. But those who commit cyber-crimes are always one step ahead and succeed in breaching the existing security systems. Corporations are seized of this issue and they constantly update their internal security measures to challenge these vulnerabilities by implementing technological measures like authentication, intrusion detection, access control systems and encryption. Such measures at own levels in the departments of hardware and software are necessary to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the data. But the issues are serious at the individual level with decentralization of control and access to smaller computer systems. Enough tools and resources are available to wrongdoers to engage in cyber-crimes. Union of computers and communications has advantages but serious disadvantages as well as they encourage wrongdoings. A comprehensive plan to address such crimes is absolutely essential. References 1. Hinduja, Sameer (Author), Koohi Brandon (Author). Curtailing Information Security Vulnerabilities through Situational Crime Prevention; Security Journal (Special Issue) 2. 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